Bussert, Carly (2005) Teens deem oral sex OK because it’s
“not going all the way” THE GAZETTE, 5/28, P.1

A sample of 580 9th graders reported that 20% had oral sex during their freshman year in high school. The median age was 14.5 years. Having oral sex is the closest thing to sex without having sex.

80% did not have sex. Or, they did not claim to have been involved in this activity. Females received oral stimulation as did the males. Orgasms were not reported.

Those who had taken virginity pledges were the most likely to be involved in oral sex. Very few expressed concern about the transmission of disease. Other studies have suggested that a few teens of both sexes overwhelmingly have sex with numerous partners, thus transmission is more likely if the few are infected.

What constitutes sex? To these freshmen, vaginal sex is sex. All other sexual activities are foreplay and not sex.

There were roughly the same numbers of females as males who had oral sex or received oral sex at least once.